First Karimojong minister Athiyo honoured by parliament

Parliament on Monday paid tribute to the first ever Minister from Karamoja region Edward Lorika Athiyo who died on Friday at the age of 91.

The legislators described the former MP for Karamoja South as a patriot, an educationist, a human rights activist and a leader who fought for Karamoja to be part of Uganda before the country was to attain independence in 1962.

The casket containing the body of the late former South Karamoja Mp and first Minister from Karamoja Edward Lorika Athiyo arrived at Parliament at exactly 1pm.

The body was received by the state minister for Karamoja affairs Moses Kizige together with other members of Parliament.

The body was then taken inside to lie in state for members of Parliament and the public to for public viewing.

Though the body was not taken into the chambers for legislators to pay tribute, the clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige says on a later date the motion will be moved by government to have a special sitting to honour the late Athiyo.

To the legislators and members of the public the late Athiyo was the first Karimajong to go to school, get a government job, become the first Minister from karamoja and the only Karimojong who was part of the Ugandan delegation that went to Lancaster to lobby for the Ugandan independence.

Athiyo was also the first Karimojong to be appointed to be appointed Uganda’s ambassador to Zaire (later renamed Democratic Republic of Congo) between 1971 and 1973.

He also served as chairman of Uganda Chamber of Commerce and district service commission among others. He was also a district commissioner in obote 0ne regime and mp in obote two regime.

After Parliament his body was flown to Nabilatuk in Nakapiripiti district where he will be buried on Wednesday this week.